Local Leader | Labor Lines: Why Australia needs a change of government

Australia is experiencing a period of significant trial. We live with an evolving geopolitical order increasingly complex and difficult. The leadership of our primary ally is almost no longer recognisable. We have the question of the future of work in an age of automation. We look at the looming shadow of inequality, and the prospect that our children will inherit a poorer quality of life than we have enjoyed. Above all, we face the existential challenge of climate change. These truly are testing times.

Our country has experienced many testing times over its history. Yet through each period, the resilience and ingenuity of our people saw us through the crisis. Strong, responsible governments inspired and motivated the people to work towards meeting the challenge of the day. Think of the total mobilisation of our country during the Second World War. Leadership was critical in meeting and overcoming challenges.

An important part of leadership is communication: being honest with the people about threats and challenges, but never letting them lose hope that we will succeed and prevail. Yet today, we do not have a government which can lead us out of these present challenges. On every front, the government is failing to lead and failing to reassure. While Australians ponder an uncertain future, our government isn’t even certain about the constitutional eligibility of its own members. We have inconsistent policies, and inconsistent messaging. A government which stands for nothing is failing at nearly everything. Australia needs change as soon as possible.